Tag Archives: digital

It’s still in beta testing, but FT8 — the latest digital bauble to capture the imagination of the Amateur Radio community — has been luring away many of those already using the popular JT65 “weak-signal” mode. FT8 is included in a beta release of WSJT-X, version 1.8.0-rc1. Among its biggest advantages is a shorter transmit-receive cycle, meaning quicker contacts. The notes for the “candidate” release say that FT8 offers “sensitivity down to –20 dB on the AWGN channel.” Contacts are four times faster than with JT65 or JT9, and an entire FT8 contact can take place in about 1 minute.

The new mode is named after its developers, Steven Franke, K9AN, and Joe Taylor, K1JT. The numeral designates the mode’s 8-frequency shift keying format. Tones are spaced at 6.25 Hz, and an FT8 signal occupies just 50 Hz. Unlike JT65 or JT9, transmit and receive cycles in FT8 each last about 15 seconds. Like JT65, FT8 requires accurate time synchronization. An auto-sequencing feature offers the option to respond automatically to the first decoded reply to your CQ.

“FT8 is an excellent mode for HF DXing and for situations like multi-hop Es on 6 meters, where deep QSB may make fast and reliable completion of QSOs desirable,” Taylor’s release notes assert.

The beta release came out just days before the July CQ VHF Contest and proved to be a boon to many operators who took advantage of FT8 on 6 meters. In a limited outing for the CQ VHF, Frank Donovan, W3LPL, made 22 FT8 contacts on 6 meters, “during which the FT8 software reported SNRs from my receiver below –10 dB (measured in a 2,500-Hz bandwidth). Some of the 22 QSOs may have been difficult to complete on CW.”

Enthusiasts will have to wait a little longer for Logbook of The World (LoTW) to accept FT8 contacts as FT8 contacts. Because FT8 is still in beta, it has not yet been added to the ADIF tables. ConfiguringTQSL to automatically map FT8 contacts to “DATA” will enable users to upload FT8 contacts now, and confirmations will be valid for DXCC Digital, VUCC, WAS Digital, and WPX Digital awards. A new TQSL configuration will be released once the new mode has been accepted to ADIF, which could happen within a week.

*Comparison with slow modes JT9, JT65, QRA64:* FT8 is a few dB less
sensitive but allows completion of QSOs four times faster. Bandwidth is
greater than JT9, but about 1/4 of JT65A and less than 1/2 QRA64.

*Comparison with fast modes JT9E-H:* FT8 is significantly more
sensitive, has much smaller bandwidth, uses the vertical waterfall, and
offers multi-decoding over the full displayed passband.

*Still to come, not yet implemented:* We plan to implement signal
subtraction, two-pass decoding, and use of “a priori” (already known)
information as it accumulates during a QSO.

Three extra bits are available in the message payload, with uses yet to
be defined. We have in mind special message formats that might be used
in contests, and the like. Your considered suggestions for use of these
bits are very welcome!

K1JT, K9AN, and G4WJS have conducted on-the-air tests of FT8 with
excellent results. We’re now at a stage where tests under a wider range
of conditions are desirable. If you can build WSJT-X from source code
revision r7750 or later, and would like to help, please do so and report
your results to us! Pre-built installation packages will be made
available after further testing is completed.

From the delivery driver crisscrossing the city to the sanitation crew clearing streets, your employees work smarter and safer with the MOTOTRBO™ DM4000 Series mobile two-way radio.

This fully-featured mobile transforms your enterprise, delivering unrivaled voice and data communications with integrated Bluetooth audio and data*, integrated GPS*, text messaging and a full 4-line colour display with day/night mode to make reading work order tickets and text messages easier. You also get best-in-class audio that includes Intelligent Audio and a customisable voice announcement feature.

Best-in-class audio
Loud front-facing speaker and Intelligent Audio feature automatically adjusts the radio volume according to the environment’s noise level

Flexible configurations and easy use
Available in UHF and VHF frequency bands with 1000 channel capacity, large, easy to access volume knob and four programmable buttons with option to use one as an emergency button

Capacity Plus
Single-site digital trunking system that maximises the capacity of your MOTOTRBO system. Use it to enable a high volume of voice and data communication for over a thousand users at a single site

IP Site Connect
A digital solution that uses the internet to extend the voice and data capabilities of MOTOTRBO. Use it to link up to 15 sites for communication among geographically dispersed locations, to create wide area coverage or enhance coverage at a single site with physical barriers

Emergency button
Orange P4 button can be optionally programmed to send an alert to a supervisor or dispatcher during an emergency situation

Transmit interrupt
Enables a user to interrupt another radio conversation to deliver critical communication exactly when and where it’s needed

This DMR mobile radio offers versatile digital functions and solid loud audio. With its ergonomic design, its easy to operate user menu system and its remarkable build quality, this is the ideal solution for all your DMR needs; whether it is mobile vehicle mounted operation, or for use in the shack.

Excellent voice transmission – Thanks to the simultaneous application of narrow band codecs and digital error correction, the Hytera MD785 offers you an outstanding audio quality in loud environments and in fringe areas of the repeater coverage

Dual mode – The Hytera MD785 features an analogue as well as a digital mode and is compatible with the currently used analogue repeater systems, thereby simplifying your transition into the digital age. This also means you don’t need to have two radios, have analogue and digital all in one.

Improved use of the radio spectrum – Thanks to the TDMA process the MD785 allows an assignment of the available bandwidth with double channel capacity. This results in a clear relief of the increasing spectrum scarcity

Expansion port – Thanks to the built-in expansion port, the MD785 can be expanded by additional functions

Intuitive interface and key guidance – The high-resolution LCD screen offers a clear display, even under difficult light conditions. The large keyboard and ergonomic programmable keys allow this radio to be easily operated.

Hytera UK is a UK registered, wholly-owned subsidiary of Hytera Communications Co Ltd, founded in 2004. Located in Slough, Berkshire, Hytera has been dedicated to distributing analogue, DMR and Tetra radios for over 7 years. From the outset, Hytera UK has been committed to providing outstanding service and support to all partners and dealers. This has led to Hytera becoming one of the top radio providers worldwide.

Everything you need for critical station monitoring, tuning and protection on one screen. No other meter has dual bargraphs, OR a graphic display with solid bargraphs, OR bargraph with 90 bars for fine tuning of Power and SWR, OR an SWR alarm with snooze mode, OR a “sticky” bar for graphic peak hold indication… let alone having them all on one screen! This is by far the best display for tuning a manual tuner, without having to change display mode for normal operation. It is also the only meter with 11 bands of frequency indexed NIST traceable calibration points using a built-in frequency counter.

Plus, the LP-100A has additional modes no other wattmeter has when you desire them… vector impedance, dBm/RL, calibrated field strength and compression ratio.

Dual Coupler Option Two couplers… one LP-100A… auto-sensing… perfect for SO2R. Better than “paralleled” couplers because the couplers are isolated from each other, and each has its own Calibration table.

LP-100A Features & Specs

* Dual Coupler Option. Allows one LP-100A to use two couplers, with auto-sensing and switching to the active coupler.
Great for SO2R operation or when your transmit paths are different for HF and 6m
* Several new menus for additional customization of user preferences
* LP-100A now integrated with N4PY software
* Graphic VFD display with high contrast non-glare neutral density filter
* Front panel power switch
* Large scrolling call sign screen saver
* Setup screen for call sign entry
* Setup screen for display brightness
* Setup screen for screen saver timers
* Dual 40MHz Processors
* Per-band power calibration, user adjustable in 0.1% steps
* Frequency counter – user adjustable per-band corrections of all parameters.
* Only meter with Z, R, |X|, Phase display… not affected by local broadcast stations as antenna analyzers can be.
* Super wide autoranging power range of 50 mW to 3000W, 160-6m… perfect for QRPp through QRO
* Optional couplers for 5KW and 10KW. Our 10KW will handle more power and generate much less heat than our competitor’s.
* Only meter with Graphic VFD display. The graphic display allows for a solid bargraph with no gaps, and full screen scrolling screensaver as shown in the shot above with N8LP scrolling.
* Only meter with simultaneous bargraphs for Power and SWR (or Power and Ref Pwr).
* Highest bargraph resolution. 90 segments gives 1% tuning resolution with standard bargraph range settings (adjustable)
* Only meter that has a “sticky” bar to graphically show peak hold point even while bargraph is moving.
* Fast attack bargraph will accurately display a single “dit” at over 100 wpm. Decay adjustable for Fast, Med, Slow.
* Active temperature compensation. Only other meter with this is Alpha.
* True 12-bit A/D converter gives <1W resolution at 2000W. 13.6 bit effective resolution up to 360W.
* Return Loss (RL) display of 0 to 49.9 dB with bargraph
* Separate scale for dBm measurements, +15.0 dBm to +64.0 dBm with bargraph
* Field Strength input covers the range of -15 dBm to +33 dBm (0.04 mW to 2W)… great for beam pattern and bench measurements
* Peak to Average ratio screen. Allows accurate checking and setting of compression in your speech processor.
* Support within TRX-Manager for direct remote monitoring
* Call sign screen saver – user programmable
* Free Plot program displays SWR, Z, Phase, R+jX (including sign), reflection coefficient, Return Loss and Smith chart.
* SWR alarm with “snooze” mode for antenna tuning. Alarm has LED, PTT relay and audible sounder (which can be easily disabled)
* G4HFQ’s free PolarPlot program works with the LP-100A’s Field Strength mode to provide automatic antenna pattern plotting. See software section of this web page.
* Separate coupler with 50 ohm ports for uncluttered desktop – remotable up to 50′ with appropriate calibration.
* Three autotanging scales with independently adjustable maximums.
* SWR display resolution is .01
* SWR error < .15 (5%) from about 100mW to 3000W, <.05 typical
* Power accuracy is better than 5% at any frequency from ~1W to maximum, 3% typical with NIST traceable factory calibration
* Power display is actual power delivered to the load ( Fwd minus Ref power) or traditional Fwd power.
* SWR Alarm system with set points for Off, 1.5, 2.0. 2.5, 3.0 and user setting. Audible & visual alarm, with PTT loop-thru & adjustable power threshold
* Windows® freeware Virtual Control Panel for software control or remote control.
* Built-in bootloader to allow for firmware upgrades to be downloaded and installed.
* Conforms to FCC Part 15 A & B, ICAS and CE radiated emission limits, tested and verified by accredited lab

The openSPOT2 is a standalone digital radio internet gateway (hotspot) designed mainly for amateur radio. You can talk with others on digital radio networks by using an openSPOT2, Wi-Fi internet access, and your radio. Compatible digital radio protocols and networks* DMR (BrandMeister, DMRplus, DMR-MARC, Phoenix, XLX) D-STAR (DCS, REF/DPlus, XRF/DExtra, XLX) System Fusion/C4FM (FCS, YSFReflector) […]

How do I become a radio amateur? The best way to start is by listening to other amateurs on any of the amateur bands—frequencies reserved for use by radio amateurs. Try 3.5MHz upwards, or 7MHz upwards for starters. There are ways of doing this even if you have no receiving equipment—see below. Listen to what’s […]

Amateur radio (also called ham radio) is the use of designated radio frequency spectra for purposes of private recreation, non-commercial exchange of messages, wireless experimentation, self-training, and emergency communication. The term “amateur” is used to specify persons interested in radio technique solely with a personal aim and without direct monetary or other similar reward, and […]

Chevron keys are hand built in the UK for the discerning cw operator. Made from solid brass the keys have a chrome plated base with the upper key parts gold plated. Magnetic tensioning in the twin lever keys allows for a super smooth operating experience. E mail for details to obtain your very own bespoke […]